Reading Comprehension/Holidays/St.
Patrick’s Day
Name: Diego Ortega Espinoza Date: March 18th 2020
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St. Patrick’s Day
- What is St. Patrick’s Day?
- Why is it celebrated?
- How is it celebrated?.
- How do you wish to celebrate it?
Write what you know about St. Patrick’s Day. Explain how you would like
to celebrate.
St. Patrick's Day or simply St. Patrick's Day is a holiday of Christian origin that
is celebrated annually on March 17 to commemorate the death of St. Patrick
of Ireland, patron saint of the whole island of Ireland. Although the largest
celebration is held in Dublin, and lasts five days, cities like New York, Boston,
San Francisco, Chicago, London, Montreal or Sydney also dress in green and
join the party. In Ireland, St. Patrick's celebrations last four days. During the
festivities, the city dresses in green and the streets are flooded with music
and dancing. One of St. Patrick's most important attractions is the themed
parade that takes place on the streets of Dublin. In it, allegorical carriages
and costumes are the main protagonists.
Clothing is also a key point. If you are going to celebrate Saint Patrick you can
not stop dressing in a green garment and use a clover on your lapel. Why?
Maewyn Succat, popularly known as St. Patrick, who was a priest of Scottish
origin, is said to have used to place a clover on his clothing as a metaphor to
explain the mystery of the Holy Trinity. Then his parishioners adopted this
custom and began using clovers during their religious services. The green
color, on the other hand, represents spring and happiness.
The elf costume is another of the customs that are part of the festivities of
San Patricio. These little men are thought to be synonymous with luck and
abundance. In that sense, it is very recurrent that during the parade or in
some pub you see people dressed in these fun clothes.
St. Patrick’s Day
Comprehension Vocabulary
Locate and write the definition for each vocabulary word:
1. Pagan: pagana, pagano
2. Convert: Convertir
3. Abundant: Abundante
4. Worship: Adoración
5. Ancient: Antiguo
6. Mythical: Mítico
7. Monastery: monasterio
St. Patrick’s Day
Comprehension Questions
1.Name 4 ways people celebrate St. Patrick’s Day.
1. Dress up in green
2. Use a clover on your lapel
3. Dress up as elf
4. Drink green beer
2. St. Patrick’s Day is a national holiday in
A. The United States, Ireland and France
B. Ireland, North Ireland and the United States
C. Ireland, North Ireland and Newfoundland
D. Montserrat, Ireland and France.
3. St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated on March 17 because.
A. March 17 is believed to be the day St. Patrick was born.
B. March 17 is the day St. Patrick escaped slavery.
C. March 17 is when St. Patrick was named a saint.
D. March 17 is believed to be the day St. Patrick died.
4. If St. Patrick was born in the late 4th century, he probably
was born between
A. 450 - 499 A.D.
B. 350 - 399 A. D.
C. 400 - 449 A. D.
D. 550 - 599. A. D.
5. Why is Ireland called The Emerald Isle?
R// For the intense green color of its lands. Actually, the name of the territory
in modern Gaelic is Éire, a term that comes from the proto-Celtic werj, which
means fertile
St. Patrick’s Day
Comprehension Questions Continued
7. What does the shamrock symbolize?
R// A metaphor to explain the mystery of the Holy Trinity.
7. Which 2 answers are correct? A leprechaun is….
A. A little man who is said to have once lived in Ireland.
B. A mythical man who quickly disappears.
C. A name for people from Ireland.
D. A mythical little man who hides his gold in pots.
E. A mythical little man who steals other peoples’ gold.
8. Explain what a pagan is.
R//That he worships gods that, from the perspective of any of the three
monotheistic religions (Christianity, Judaism and Islam), are considered
false.
9. Why do you think people enjoy celebrating St. Patrick’s Day?
R// Since the Emerald Island is largely Catholic and St. Patrick's Day
generally coincides with Lent
St. Patrick’s Day
Illustrate your favorite St. Patrick’s Day symbol or create a
new one of your own!
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